Highlands region – 53%ABV – £39.99
There’s something really good about feeling really good about… stuff. You see, I do not believe in altruism. Mother Theresa was an AMAZING woman that did so many wonderful things for the needy. But no one can tell me that she did not feel good about all of the work she did; or perhaps feel motherly toward many of the people who counted on her and those that worked with her. It feels good to do good and there’s nothing wrong with that.
So… do you want to feel good about helping people (and get some good whisky in the process)?
Master of Malt teamed up with Glenfarclas to choose two ex-oloroso sherry casks to marry up (mix together), bottle up and then sell. This 9yo whisky, bottled at cask strength (53% ABV) is selling at Master of Malt for only £39.99 and £10 of each sale (basically 25%) goes to Movember who fund The Prostate Cancer Foundation and Livestrong as well as help to create awareness on Men’s Cancer Issues. You can read more on Movember’s Global Action Plan here.
This being said, I did my part by purchasing a couple of these “Movember” Glenfarclas bottles from Master of Malt. Thankfully, the whisky inside the bottle is pretty damn good (and a steal at only £39.99!)
On the nose – Out of the gate the nose is hot and sharp; angular (if you can apply that to a scent). Not the soft sherried nose you’d come to expect from most Glenfarclas whiskies.
It is a very “sherried” nose however… Think sugared prunes, potting soil, gingerbread men and a shit ton spice and spice cakes.
Some rubbery notes in there too (party balloons).
With water the scent becomes… inviting, round, big and plump. Sort of like all of those butts Sir Mix A Lot always raps about.
On the mouth – Hot in the mouth with a big spice attack. Let’s try this again… Yeah, still hot, will add water in a sec. Let’s talk mouthfeel though: Sort of thin but flavor packed (almost like a barrel proof bourbon attack – very strong in heat and flavor).
Waiter, may I have some water please? Just two droppers full. Thanks.
As I suspected, water is the key. Still a bit hot but much more tolerable and the mouth feel gets nice and big. Water is to this whisky as a fluffer is to Ron Jeremy (that’s it with the sexy stuff, promise!).
Orange and spice and everything nice. Vanilla is huge here.
Finish – Very dry finish, long with spice drops.
In sum – It’s a whacky/wild little ‘farclas. It’s sort of like the “cool” kid in the room that’s maybe not as cool as everybody thinks he is but because everybody thinks he’s cool, he’s just that much cooler… Maybe like Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Ok, enough with the tangent.
At £40, this cask strength whisky is a total steal and just the fact that £10 of that goes to Movember for men’s cancer charities… THAT’S cool! A bit of Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam all in one! Get a bottle or two before they sell out.
Click here to buy a bottle and don’t forget to use the term “JSMWS sample” in the delivery instructions portion of the shopping cart – Master of Malt will ship you a free dram of whisky if you do.
I can’t believe I mixed Mother Theresa in with Sir Mix A Lot, Ron Jeremy and Jeff Spicoli. My apologies if I offended anyone.
Special thanks to Master of Malt for the sample! I’m now working on bottle #1 from the two I bought 🙂